The Tiger Temple

Third week of August 2007, I was in Ayuthaya, all ready and excited for my temple  sightseeing and photography tour. After travelling for more than 1.5 hours from Bangkok, I arrived in Ayuthaya ,but never got out of the car because it was raining so hard and did so for hours until my companions decided to go back to Bangkok. We planned to change our destination the next day to the Tiger Temple but it never happened as the rain continued to pour the whole day. Dissapointed and bored, I just stayed in Bangkok and drowned myself in Singha and more Singha.

Last March 27, 2008, I was in Malaysia and booked for a tour to the elephant sanctuary in Pahang. Everything was already set up with the travel agency(payment and pick-up time, activity schedule, etc.

) I was supposed to be picked up at the meeting place at 6:30 am but I woke up at 8:30 and was a no-show at the pick-up place.

Moral lesson of the story, do not mix travbuddy meet-ups with seriously planned tours, like mixing business with pleasure. lol! During the TB meet-up at Kaohsan on Friday night, I reminded everybody that I'm gonna be a pumpkin by 12midnight because I was going to Kanchanaburi at 6:30 the next day and I can't afford to miss the trip because I already paid for the tour and that was my second chance to see the Tigah Tempoh. If I miss it, am gonna be a loser! Past 12 midnight, I didn't become a pumpkin, and Dodge and New ordered more Singha for me! I wouldn't resist ice cold Singha on a hot Bangkok night with travbuddies in good old Khaosan Road! I was a bit worried then for the trip the next day but what the heck, am enjoying the night.

Then finally Erna and Khoko said they wanted to go home at past 1 a.m. I'm saved. Now I could sleep at least for three hours which I did, and made sure that the front desk at Baiyoke Sky called me at 6:30 am soon as the tour van arrived the next morning. I woke up at 6 am and run to the restaurant and had my free breakfast in 5 minutes. By 6:30 am, I was already heading to Kanchanaburi.  

The heat was almost unbearable. 42 degrees! I kept on rehydrating and stayed in the shaded areas as much as possible. I instantly got an over tan and my travelmates from Australia became all red. We took the boat at the Kwai River and got off at the riverbank nearest to the road going to Saiyok District. Our driver met us when we got off the boat, did some tour at the war museum, then proceeded to the Tiger Temple after lunch.

The buddhist temple where the tigers are kept is called WAT PHA LUANG TA BUA.

We arrived at the temple at 12:30 when the sun was at its hottest. I was already soaking in sweat but didn't mind the heat much as I was nothing but all too excited to see those amazing cats. The small cubs were first brought out in the tree-shaded area. Each of the 5 tigers were tied to a tree. The bigger ones were brought out next and the biggest was placed in the middle of the area with its chain from the neck pegged to the ground. The tourists took turns approaching this tiger from behind and cautiously stooped down to touch and caress the tiger's  back while somebody took pictures. Everybody followed the instructions given: No loud noises, no wearing of bright colors like red or pink, knees covered, no sleeveless shirts, and always stay on the tiger's side farther back.

The tigers were all tame. From the shaded tree area, the tigers were led by the volunteers to the Tiger Canyon. The tourists can hold the tigers' leash and walk beside them while photos are taken. Walking the tiger was a first time experience and although it was just for a few seconds, that was memorable enough for me. Upon reaching the gorge, the tigers were rested and the tourists were again allowed to take phots with the tigers. By that time, I opted to stay in the shade because the heat was already too intense for me. There was free unlimited bottled water for everyone and huge electric cooler fans were positioned midway to the gorge entrance to give provide additional ventilation.

The Tiger temple was a memorable experience. Next, I'm going to be with elephants.